By Patience Makwele

Paratus Namibia on Tuesday celebrated its 20th anniversary with a bold step forward by launching the country’s first nationwide mobile network built entirely on 4G LTE, discarding older 2G and 3G systems, an approach the company described as betting on a digital-first future in a market still anchored by legacy technology.
According to Paratus’ Executive Chairman Barney Harmse, the 20th anniversary was a momentum moment which has resulted in a four-year transformation that has seen the company invest more than N$1.4 billion in infrastructure since 2018, including N$600 million in the new mobile rollout. The network now connects 50 towns and 80 communities, stretching across the east-west corridor and the vital Windhoek-Oshakati route.
Harmse emphasized that the move underscores the company’s vision to expand digital access. “The new mobile network is a major step forward in enabling Namibians to fully embrace modern digital lifestyles,” Harmse noted.
Unlike its competitors, the company has built the network as a clean slate. The unconventional approach of building a network free from legacy systems offers several advantages and benefits: it allows for a more cost-effective and efficient infrastructure, provides a direct pathway to future technologies like 5G, and delivers a consistently high-quality user experience from day one. Partnering with Nokia for mobile technology and Cerillion for the digital stack, the platform allows eSIM activation in minutes, high-definition VoLTE calls, and Wi-Fi calling anywhere in the world with features typically seen in more advanced telecom markets rather than Southern Africa.
The company is also introducing a new model for data consumption. Customers can choose between “Gigs Your Way,” which allows them to pay only for what they use, or “Uncapped Freedom,” which provides unlimited data for set periods. All services are integrated into the Paratus App, offering customers end-to-end digital control of their accounts.
Andrew Hall, Managing Director of Paratus Namibia said: “What began in the COVID-19 era as a necessity has matured into a fully digital way of engaging with Paratus,” he explained, adding that future plans include integrating artificial intelligence and analytics to further personalize the customer experience.
In taking the unconventional route of building a network free from legacy systems, Paratus has challenged the status quo in Namibia’s telecom sector with a move which is more likely to intensify competition, push incumbents to accelerate upgrades while setting the tone for a digital-first race in one of Africa’s fastest-growing connectivity markets.